There’s no doubt that conversations have been buzzing in both the Canada and the U.S. when it comes to challenges and issues around electronic trucking logs. Electronic log book laws have been put in place, effective January 1, 2023, in effort to increase safety on the roads, which of course is the number one priority,… Read More
Author: RealAgriculture Livestock Team
Believe it or not, winter is going to quickly come to an end, and cattle markets are picking up on this. As we pass mid-February, the seasonality in the cutout price is starting to pick up, says Anne Wasko of the Gateway Livestock Exchange, as we make it through the lull of January and February…. Read More
GEA has announced it is moving manufacturing of its rotary parlour platforms to Galesville, Wisconsin. Prior to this announcement, the components came from New Zealand; however increasing costs and disruptions in overseas shipping pushed the company to make the switch. This move makes their rotary milking structures the only ones in the industry that are… Read More
Cold weather calving is tricky and that can be compounded by rapidly changing weather conditions. Bringing cattle in to a new environment because of cold or wet weather can introduce a new management issue: pathogen spread. Gerald Stokka, the extension veterinarian at North Dakota State University, says that increased snowfall or wet weather means that… Read More
Nathan Phinney of New Brunswick has stepped into the role as the president to the Canadian Cattle Association (CCA). This appointment comes after the sudden passing of previous president in December, Reg Schellenberg. Phinney — the first president of the CCA from the Maritimes in 90 years — previously sat in the role as vice… Read More
Even though mandatory country of origin labeling (mCOOL) by the U.S. has been deemed non-compliant with America’s trade obligations at the World Trade Organization, there is a faction that still wants to see the rule brought back. Similar to the Canadian system, when a congressional session ends, bills that have not yet passed “die.” Now,… Read More
Sustainability is about three things: economics, social responsibility, and environmental stewardship. But how do you make that system better, rather than pitting ourselves against each other? That’s the message Dr. Sara Place, of Colorado State University (CSU), covered at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association conference being held this week at New Orleans, Louisiana. When looking… Read More
Members of the U.S. and North American cattle industry are meeting at New Orleans, Louisiana, right now attending the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) convention. RealAgriculture founder Shaun Haney is at the conference, and spoke with Colin Woodall, CEO of NCBA, about the priority topics at this year’s meeting. Cost of production is of course… Read More
Beginning in April, Canadian dairy producers will be able to compare the methane efficiency ratings of their dairy cattle. Lactanet Canada is launching the first-ever national genetic evaluation for methane efficiency, and the trait will be added to the list of traits evaluated for the Holstein breed. These genetic evaluations are used by Canadian producers… Read More
The Government of Saskatchewan has announced that rates paid by producers leasing Crown grazing land remain the same for 2023 and will not be increased. As well, growers leasing Crown land for grazing who have had to reduce stocking rates due to dry conditions are eligible to have rent reduced by up to 50 per… Read More
A ramp designed by pork company HyLife for vaccinating weanlings has potential to improve animal care across the industry, the company says. The ramp was created by HyLife’s Continuous Improvement Team (CI), and has received approval from renowned animal behaviouralist, Dr. Temple Grandin. Grandin was brought in by HyLife to tour its farms and processing… Read More
Beef and cattle markets south of the border started the year off steady and on solid footing, which is good news at the wholesale level. Does this steady market offer a suggestion of what’s to come? For this first Beef Market Update of 2023, Anne Wasko, of the Gateway Livestock Exchange, joins Shaun Haney to… Read More
The Beef Cattle Research Council’s Future Farm scenarios has looked at the five-year financial impact of investing in rotational grazing management or tightening up the calving season. Drawing on findings from the Canadian Cow-Calf Cost of Production Network, the scenarios exercise looked at where to invest in infrastructure to best improve profitability. For both questions… Read More
When it comes to the Canadian cattle industry, 2022 may not be quiet as reviled as 2021 and its extreme drought, but it’s unlikely to rank in the top five best years for many. While the year definitely shows well in the cattle prices category, it’s the profit and loss statement that really tells the… Read More
It’s not often, and never a good thing, when the basis drops lower than the temperature. Anne Wasko, with the Gateway Livestock Exchange, says that the chilly basis in Western Canada, currently at about -30 to the U.S. cash market, is certainly reason for cattle feeders to look forward to a calendar flip. “It is… Read More